WPFD visited the 2009 Fire Show on October 31, 2009 that was presented by the Arkansas Forestry Commission in Greenbrier, Ark.   Firefighters representing departments from all over the state of Arkansas had the opportunity to see fire technology and equipment on display from vendors and departments that implement the tools we use.  WPFD took our Tanker #1 truck to be displayed. Demonstrations were also provided by AIR-EVAC (emergency medical helicopter transport),  chainsaw training,  and more.

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WPFD has been blessed by generosity from community support. We were recently asked if there was anything specific that we needed for any of our stations to help make our jobs a little easier.  We have 4 stations spread out across our large district. Usually, if we need one of ANYTHING, we need FOUR of them to equip each station.  So, we developed a list of a few donation items that we would love to receive, if anyone were so inclined to help us out.  Please let us know if you have any items on this list you would like to contribute. Thank you!

Items:  (3) Three Digital Cameras-   We need  3 more cameras to help us document fire scenes and collisions for our records.

Items: (4) Handheld Map-Based Global Positioning System (GPS) Devices. We don’t currently have any GPS units.  A few of our folks have personal devices, but we dont have dedicated devices on our rescue vehicles. These will be used for Search and Rescue calls as well as providing better coordinates for helicopter medical evacuation needs.

Items: (3)Chest  or Upright Freezers. Do you have a good working chest or upright freezer that you don’t use anymore? We have a need to store plenty of bagged ice for ice-chests/chilled water when we fight fires (anytime of year).  If you have a good working chest or upright freezer (large or small) that you would consider donating to our department, let us know. We will come pick it up for free if we can use it! (some size restrictions apply depending on storage  and use space)

Contact Lt. Jason Rogers at 501-519-2745 or email jmrogers411@aol.com if you have questions or wish to donate. Thanks!

WPFD worked to assist Crystal Fire Department with an active structure fire on Col. Glenn Road on Monday, Oct. 27, 2009.  Equipment and manpower were needed from many West Pulaski stations and Alexander Fire Department. The structure was considered a total loss, however, all occupants escaped without injury.

From Arkansas Democrat-Gazette dated 10/28/09:

The Red Cross of Greater Arkansas is helping a father and son after a fire Tuesday afternoon destroyed their home west of Little Rock in Pulaski County, sheriff’s office spokesman John Rehrauer said.

About 2 p.m., a fire broke out at the home at 13816 Colonel Glenn Road while John Cate was inside, Rehrauer said. He was able to get out of the house safely and attempted to put the flames out, but fire engulfed the home, Rehrauer said.

Phillip Cate, who also lives at the address, was not home at the time, Rehrauer said.

Fire crews from the West Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department, the Crystal Fire Department and the Alexander Fire Department eventually extinguished the blaze, but the home was “totally destroyed,” Rehrauer said.

No one was injured, Rehrauer said.

The Red Cross is helping the family with housing andbasic necessities.

“We are putting them up for a couple of nights in a hotel and have given them a debit card for emergency purchases,”Red Cross spokesman Brigette Williams said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Rehrauer said.

Follow the link below to read the story from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/oct/28/father-son-without-home-after-fire-20091028/

West Pulaski Fire Department Urges  Residents to “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.”

Once a child touches a hot stove, as the cliché goes—he learns his lesson, stay away from a hot stove. This cliché does not take into account the pain and suffering from burns and burns should not be part of the learning process.

That’s why WPFD is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Week 2009 – October 4-10 – to urge our residents to “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.” This year’s campaign focuses on ways to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching our local school age children how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

Demonstrations this week are being made at Baker Elementary, Lawson Elementary,  Robinson Elementary, and local daycare facilities to show the importance of awareness, planning, and safety.  Choose the  ”More” tab to see pictures of our presentation events and read more.

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